and: “O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is just between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, that we shall associate nothing with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords beside Allah. But if they turn away, then say, ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’” [Āl ʿImrān 3:64]

When he finished(1) reading the letter, the voices around him rose and the hubbub increased, whereupon he ordered that we be ushered out(2)…

Later, Heraclius convened the grandees of the Byzantines in a pavilion(3) of his at Ḥimṣ. He then commanded that its doors be locked, appeared before them, and said, “People of Byzantium! Will you not seek success and right guidance, and keep your kingdom secure(4), by pledging allegiance to this Prophet?” They bolted like wild asses toward the doors, only to find them already barred. When Heraclius saw their flight and despaired of their believing, he said, “Bring them back to me.” Then he told them, “A moment ago I spoke as I did only to test how firmly you hold to your religion, and I have now seen it.” So they prostrated to him and were pleased with him(5).

Thus, the king of the Romans—who was also one of their scholars—recognized and affirmed that he was a prophet, that he would rule the very ground beneath Heraclius’s own feet, and he himself wished to enter Islam. He called his people to it, but they turned away from him in disdain, like skittish wild asses fleeing a lion. What kept him from Islam was fear for his throne and his prestige, and what kept those donkey-like folk(6) back was the very thing that had hindered the nations before them.